"Hill tells the story of the birth of hip-hop with his own catchy rhythm, and Taylor’s illustrations bring out the enthusiasm and sense of community at the heart of this trend-setting sound."--New York Times Book Review

"Here’s a twofer: an expert biography of a hip hop and rap pioneer, and a not-to-be-missed picture-book debut by Taylor."--Publishers Weekly

Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III, a hot, young new artist, this new picture book by Laban Carrick Hill tells the story of the Godfather of Hip Hop. When DJ Kool Herc spun records for his sister's sweet sixteen birthday in the South Bronx in the 1970s, he didn't know that he would invent rap and hip hop. But that's what he did. This is the amazing story of how a kid scratched and rapped his way into starting an entire new music.

Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Brian Collier, Dave the Potter tells in verse the story of Dave, a slave potter who was not meant to be remembered because he was a slave and considered property. Dave however wrote poems on the sides of his pots and ensured that his work would live well beyond his death. This poem explores the story of Dave's work and his struggle to be remembered.

"Excellent..for the children and, probably, grandchildren of baby boomers who want to know what the youth culture of the time was all about."–New York Times Book Review

"America Dreaming is a phenomenal piece of work, extensively researched and visually stimulating; an essential resource for children and adults of all ages. Laban Hill has built a time machine with this book, bringing to life not only the music and culture of the 1960s but also the turbulence of change, politics and people standing up for what they believed in."–Howard Zinn

"This is a great book. It tells an important story and tells it well--and pictures it well too."–Pete Seeger, singer/songwriter

A Brush with Napoleon
What is the point of art? Is it to transform the viewer or to create propaganda? In this novel Jean discovers the struggle that artist David lives with in trying to create great paintings and please Napoleon.

"In Casa Azul, Laban Carrick Hill has woven a strange and wonderful tale, as compelling, surprising, and surreal as Frida Kahlo¹s paintings. A powerful look at one of the 20th century's great artists, and at the magical world in which she lived." --Pete Hautman, author of Godless, 2004 National Book Award Winner

Contemporary Poetry of New England
This collection of 178 recent poems about New England is a testament to the region’s enduring power as a source of inspiration for poets. Laban Carrick Hill has two poems included in the anthology.

Xtreme Mysteries
Book 1: Deep Powder Deep Trouble
Book 2: Crossed Tracks
Book 3: Rocked Out: A Summer X-Games Special
Book 4: Half Pipe Rip-Off
Book 5: Lost Wake
Book 6: Out of Line
Book 7: Spiked Snow
Book 8: Total Whiteout

Selected Works

"Completely awesome"--Time
"Hill tells the story of the birth of hip-hop with his own catchy rhythm, and Taylor’s illustrations bring out the enthusiasm and sense of community at the heart of this trend-setting sound."--New York Times Book Review

“Contemporary Poetry of New England offers a vivid portrait of a region, its colors and smells, its physical and emotional textures, and the people…. It presents a range of poets, few of whom would call themselves a “region poet,” although each has taken to heart in a private way Frost’s haunting dictum: ‘Locality gives art.’”

"I felt like a kid reading every word on the page! I liked the strains of "magic realism" coming through in Frida's house! Children will relate to this very much! The story is charming and reads like a thriller." –Margarita Aguilar, Assisant Curator, El Museo del Barrio